An interview with Katarzyna Jankowska, director of the „Mrowisko” Student Cultural Center at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, about the role of culture and art in connecting generations and different communities. The director has just been nominated for the Charismatic Woman award.
Have you always been a charismatic person?
A difficult question, but I think so. ADHD wasn’t diagnosed in my school years, but I was certainly everywhere. Even as a child, I was running around and having a blast. I once heard I was „Little Miss Independent,” which I distorted to „Zosia the female.” I must admit, I was resourceful. Even in elementary school, I was class president and even tutored in Polish and math. I also participated in school plays.
Were you more of a straight-A student or a troublemaker?
Both. In school, after graduating from the III High School in Zabrze, I was involved in various projects, and this was because I didn’t have to study at home, as learning came easily to me. I enjoyed performing on stage with the cabaret group „And, or, to be continued.” In high school, I was a star on stage, but also at events. Later, I wanted to become a translator, so I chose the University of Silesia and Applied French. After graduating, I started working in shopping malls as a French translator, but I quickly became an assistant director, and later the director, of the Platan Shopping Center in Zabrze.
After finishing your career in shopping malls, you became the director of „Mrowisko”.
Yes. That was 15 years ago. Since the beginning of my work there, I’ve been implementing programs for students—workshops, concerts, exhibitions. However, I believe that culture connects generations, which is why our projects are also aimed at preschoolers, schoolchildren, high school students, and even seniors. I believe that young people who later choose, for example, technical studies, should be interested in culture. The Silesian University of Technology’s Academic Choir, the Academic Music Ensemble, the „Dąbrowiacy” Song and Dance Ensemble, and the Remont Academic Theatre operate with great success, including: the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology, the Academic Music Ensemble, the „Dąbrowiacy” Song and Dance Ensemble, and the Remont Academic Theatre. We must remember to offer young people a broad spectrum of development. Centers like Mrowisko offer a tremendous opportunity to make young minds aware that culture is ubiquitous, and that engaging in technical thought does not preclude the development of artistic passions.
At Mrowisko, you implement unconventional projects. Which are your favorites?
Universities have three missions. The first is undoubtedly education, educating future generations of young people; the second is scientific and research activities; and the third is fostering good relationships with their surroundings, which should result in, on the one hand, the dissemination and popularization of scientific results and, on the other, a real impact on the world around them. The third mission is to foster greater involvement of academic institutions in social development processes at various levels: educational, ethical, and cultural. Our two key projects – „MrOFFisko Theatre” and „Science with Culture” – are the fulfillment of my ambition to prove the thesis of the great scientist Leonardo da Vinci, who blurred the lines between art and science. Science and culture coexist, stimulating the development of civilization. Taking advantage of the limitless possibilities offered by the combination of these two inexhaustible sources of inspiration, the „Mrowisko” team has prepared a series of events for young people and seniors in Silesian cities, as well as a series of workshops for students. We run drum, guitar, dance, and stand-up comedy classes. Last year, approximately two hundred students participated. Guests like Grzegorz Halama, Marcin Zbigniew Wojciech, and Tomasz Jachimek motivate us to participate in culture. Our graduate, Szymon Paszek, even founded his own improvisation school – Impro Silesia. Today, he laughs that improvisation helped him greatly during his studies. I must admit that I’m particularly excited about this project. Our second „anthill child” is the „MrOFFisko Theatre,” a showcase for non-institutional, independent, and often groundbreaking and innovative theaters.
We also host the „Spirala” Student Club, where we organize „Good Evening with a Vinyl Record,” Winter Reggae, and Punk Generation festivals. We also have a Student Band Review, entirely curated by students. Bands from all over Poland are invited, and the winner plays at the Igry Festival. This is truly honoring.
In 2019, the „Mrowisko” Student Culture Club joined the National Forum of Student Culture, which brings together 14 student culture institutions from across Poland. Led by the forum’s chairwoman, Izabela Pastuszko, director of the UMCS Academic Center for Culture and Media Chatka Żaka in Lublin, we demonstrate the beneficial impact of student culture and the unquestionable necessity of its development. Student culture is not only an artistic activity, but above all a space for building relationships, counteracting loneliness and improving the mental well-being of young people. The artistic activities of the student community develop soft skills such as project management, leadership, creativity, and team communication.
How are you financed?
We are 80 percent funded by the Silesian University of Technology, with the remainder coming from our own revenue from ticket sales, which we distribute our products both in person and online. We also have our own ticket machine.
How many people do you employ?
The Mrowisko team is a fairly small group of nine people. When we organize large events, we hire additional people on contract.
When are you planning to celebrate our 15th anniversary?
I don’t know yet whether it will be in October or November, but we’ll definitely let you know. Speaking of charismatic women, Sonia Bohosiewicz will be performing with her „Domówka” soon.
How do you promote yourselves?
Our promotion is usually limited to social media and the university’s messaging platforms. The University Student Government Board also helps with promotion. I must admit that I really enjoy working with students. I’m impressed by their optimism, creativity, hard work, and sense of humor.
How do you spend your free time? What about your family?
I go to the theater. I really like the Municipal Theater in Gliwice, the Rozrywki Theater in Chorzów, and the Nowy Theater in Zabrze. I have a husband and two sons, so this time has to be planned accordingly. My older son is 21 and studying media culture, but my younger son is only seven, so I often run around the playground or we paint together, because he’s good at it. My husband used to build mining combines and also coached children in soccer. He currently works at the Center for Student Creativity, and in his free time, he’s always there for me. I’m happy that I manage to combine work with my personal life.
Wojciech Skowroński
Beata Sekuła
